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Newsline audio releases — May 10, 2013

Listed below are MP3 audio files and the text of actualities and wraps associated with WisDOT's Radio Newsline.

A governor’s proclamation puts rail safety in the spotlight Wednesday (May 15). Ron Adams, WisDOT’s Rails and Harbors Section Chief, talks about the trouble on the tracks.

Cut 1: Ron Adams, Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Rails and Harbors (378 KB/24 seconds)

"There were 43 highway/railway grade crossing crashes in Wisconsin in 2012, which is fewer than in 2011. Those crashes resulted in four deaths and 12 injuries and that’s according to the preliminary data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The FRA also reported three pedestrian/trespasser incidents last year, where two people died and one person was injured; and those numbers are also down."

Cut 2: Ron Adams, Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Rails and Harbors (381 KB/24 seconds)

"The number one thing is to always expect a train when you see train tracks. They don't travel on a regular schedule. Drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians need to slow down and look and listen for a train before going across. And an approaching train is always closer than you think and moving faster than you think because of its large size. It will take an average freight train, traveling 55 miles an hour, more than a mile to come to a; complete stop.”

Cut 3: Wrap with Adams (1010 KB/65 seconds)

At 55 miles per hour, a freight train will travel more than a mile before it can come to a complete stop.

"There were 43 highway/railway grade crossing crashes in Wisconsin in 2012."

Ron Adams is WisDOT’s Rails and Harbors Section Chief.

"Those crashes resulted in four deaths and 12 injuries."

Those numbers are an improvement from 2011. Adams says public outreach is helping to save lives.

"The number one thing is to always expect a train when you see train tracks."

Governor Scott Walker has proclaimed May 15 — Operation Lifesaver Awareness Day in Wisconsin. Operation Lifesaver’s mission is to end preventable deaths and injuries on the tracks.

"Drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians need to slow down and look and listen for a train before going across."

This is Brock Bergey reporting.

If you’re driving down the freeway and miss your exit, there’s a temptation to illegally cross a divided highway using a median crossover. Don’t do it, says Wisconsin State Trooper Jim Larson, as it can be both costly and dangerous.

Cut 1: Trooper Jim Larson, State Patrol (281 KB/18 seconds)

"Median crossovers are for law enforcement and authorized vehicles only. When vehicles are slowing down entering a median crossover, vehicles behind it are not expecting those vehicles to slow down on the freeway or Interstate system which can cause those vehicles to swerve or rear-end crashes."

Cut 2: Trooper Jim Larson, State Patrol (289 KB/18 seconds)

“The fine for illegally crossing a divided highway is $263. But if you’re involved in a crash, that’s the least of your problems. The only safe, legal option is to continue on to the next exit, use the ramps at the next exit and safely turn around to go the other way."

Cut 3: Wrap with Larson (1010 KB/65 seconds)

You're traveling down the freeway when you suddenly realize you’ve missed your exit. That might be followed by a temptation to use a median crossover. Don’t do it. Wisconsin State Trooper Jim Larson says making a U-turn using a median crossover is not only illegal, it’s dangerous.

"Median crossovers are for law enforcement and authorized vehicles only. When vehicles are slowing down entering a median crossover, vehicles behind it are not expecting those vehicles to slow down on the freeway or Interstate system which can cause those vehicles to swerve or rear-end crashes."

The State Patrol's May "Law of the Month" reminds drivers that the only safe and legal option for turning around on an Interstate or freeway is to proceed to the next exit and use the ramps to safely leave and re-enter the highway. Trooper Larson says along with risking a serious crash, violators also face a fine of $263.This is Rob Miller reporting.

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Last modified: May 9, 2013